Kumar, Rupesh

Luleå University of Technology, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Operation, Maintenance and Acoustics.

Theorell, Töres

Karolinska Institutet.

Markeset, Tore

Centre for Industrial Asset Management, University of Stavanger, School of Science and Technology, Stavanger University College, Tromsø University, Center for Safe Operation in HIGH North, University of Tromsø.

Abstract [en]

In this study the Swedish version of the Demand—Decision Latitude—Social support model was used. A total of 40 administrative staff and 40 cleaners participated. Demands and decision latitude scores were significantly higher in the administrative staff than in the cleaners. Social support scores were not significantly different between the administrative group and the group of cleaners. Psychological demands and skill discretion differed between the two working groups. The administrative staff’s perception of higher work demand and better decision latitude may be based on their belief that they possess appropriate education, general knowledge and detailed information about their work. Both groups had similar social support scores; it may be that members of both groups felt that they work as a group or team where their proximity fostered this perception of group social support